About

The Willowherb Review

€2,462

pledged of €2,000 goal

99

backers

*Thanks so much to everyone who has contributed so far!*

The first €2000 raised from this Kickstarter will go towards getting us started: paying writers a modest fee, paying an honorarium to editorial assistants, and the costs of maintaining the website. All funds raised in excess of our goal (€2000 and up) will go towards funding our next issue. After hitting €3000, we'll aim to launch a nature writing award and writing workshop for young writers of colour.

Any support you can offer—from €5 to €500—will go towards creating a more inclusive literary landscape.

*********************

The notion that the New Nature Writing has a diversity problem is not new. Critics and scholars have been talking about the need for diversity in nature writing for a while, and both readers and writers have been keen to see more diverse authors published.

The Willowherb Review aims to provide an initial platform to celebrate and bolster nature writing by emerging and established writers of colour. By supporting our Kickstarter, you'll be helping us launch our website, pay writers, and support a new and diverse wave of nature writers.

Why 'Willowherb'? Chamaenerion angustifolium, commonly known as rosebay willowherb or fireweed, is a plant that thrives on disturbed ground. Its seeds do well when transported to new and difficult terrain, so some—not us—may call it a weed.

In August, we will open submissions for our first issue.

Risks and challenges

In launching the journal, there are a few challenges TWR is poised to overcome: navigating the byzantine business regulations of running an online journal in Germany (where editor Jessica is based), managing the load of submissions, and keeping the journal inclusive and diverse on every level of its operations.

For the business-side of things, we've found and consulted with a licensed tax advisor and have the support and know-how of more-seasoned online journal editors behind us.

For submissions, we plan to create a streamlined digital-only process, and plan to use a submissions template to make our jobs easier and the process seamless for writers.

For diversity and inclusion, we plan to consult readers from a vast range of backgrounds both in and outside of nature writing.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €500 or more
About US$ 569

Re-Seeders

Your name listed as a patron on our website + a hand illustrated Willowherb Review bookmark + an invite to the Willowherb Review's UK launch + a historical Hampstead Heath walk and swim with author Jessica J. Lee for you and a group of your friends OR a historical walk and swim in Berlin/Brandenburg (REWARD UK OR GERMANY ONLY)